Last edited 12/29/2023

Dr. Josie Valderrama Licensed Psychologist

She/They

VerifiedProfile VideoOffers Online TherapyIn-person Meetings
Acepting new clientsCash Pay Only
Headshot of Dr. Josie Valderrama Licensed Psychologist

General Office Hours

In Pacific Time

Mondayfrom 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Tuesdayfrom 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Wednesdayfrom 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Thursdayfrom 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Fridayfrom 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?

*Please note: While I do not take insurance directly, I can provide a "superbill" for you to file a claim & sliding scale is also available based on need.* I made the leap into the mental health field in my late thirties as a career transition. My goal was to learn how to unlock human potential - both in myself and in others. And I found that my heart opened up in this beautiful and unexpected way. I am humbled and elated by the opportunity to facilitate individuals on their hero's journey. I was also inspired to choose this profession due to a strong desire to be a beacon of hope and compassion. My own experiences of feeling invalidated as a therapy client during my 20s has helped inform my practice. It has served as a continual reminder of how precious, vulnerable and brave it is to engage in one's own therapy.

What would be important for someone to know about working with you?

My practice tends to work at the intersection of BIPOC, gender, sexual and relational diversity (GSRD) and neurodiversity. I believe compatibility between therapist and client is highly variable and based not just on shared reality of identifiers or approaches. But that it can simply boil down to personality. And so I encourage all therapy seekers to explore far and wide, do a number of consults, and keep trying until you find that optimal fit in your therapeutic alliance. Don't get psyched out - trust yourself!

In what ways have your personal experiences influenced your work with your clients?

Having experienced decades of self-imposed blocks around the things that mattered to me most, I have a lot of empathy for clients in similar positions. Thankfully, I found a connection to the wisdom I was seeking and was able to get unblocked and step into a more authentic version of myself, both in my outward accomplishments and inner development. As such, my array of first-hand experience and related insights help form the foundation of my role as therapist. Of course, my job is not to give advice or conflate my story with your own. But the struggles and victories I have experienced undoubtedly inform the process, and can deepen the empathic attunement between us. In addition, experiencing microaggressions early on in grad school helped push me to network with others within gender, sexual and relational diversity (GSRD) communities. Eventually, we formed Bay Area Open Minds, which is now a 200+ strong organization of therapists allied to those practicing consensual non-monogamy, kink and the like.

Identity

Gender

Genderfluid Woman

Ethnicity

Asian (East/Southeast), Filipino

Sexuality

Pansexual, Queer

Faith

Shamanism

Group Identities

BIPOC, LGBTQIA+

Other Identities

Neurodivergent, Living with ADHD, Living with Anxiety, Gen X, Immigrant / 1st Generation American

Specialties

Anxiety

Sexuality Based Issues

Race & Cultural Identity

Artists' mental health

Peak performance

General Expertise

Depression

Relationship Issues

Loss/Grief

Self-Esteem

Social Anxiety

ADHD

Attachment issues

Autism spectrum disorder

Fees

First Session$200
Individual Therapy$200

Types of Therapy

Individual Therapy

Clientele

Young Adults (18-24)

Adults (25-65)

Seniors (65+)

Treatment Approaches / Modalities

Mindfulness Practices

Culturally Sensitive Therapy

Experiential Therapy

Feminist Therapy

Internal Family Systems Therapy

Multicultural Therapy

Hypnotherapy

Somatic Therapy

Training / Certifications

Somatic Experiencing 2 modules. IFS. NLP Level 1. Neo-Ericksonian with Dr. Stephen Gilligan. Certified Shamanic Practitioner

Licensure

  • California, Licensed Psychologist, PSY27913

Education

Alliant International University, Doctorate of Psychology, Clinical Psychology, 2014

Dissertation investigated technology addiction, specifically smartphones. My research focused on creating and validating a novel measure of problematic smartphone use.

Occidental College, Bachelor of Arts, History, 1995

Concentrations in Women's History and Early Modern Europe.

Work History

While I consider myself a liberation psychologist, much of my training took place within larger systems which, by their very nature, are imperfect and filled with hegemonic dysfunction. I trained for 3 years at a community mental health clinic within the San Francisco Department of Public Health, working alongside other psychologists as well as psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, social workers, counselors, marriage & family therapists, law enforcement and clerical staff. Clients included those with severe diagnoses, families, unhoused, and other at-risk and underserved populations. In addition, I trained for a year at a Native American community mental health clinic. I had the privilege of interacting and assisting indigenous staff and clients through therapy, pow wow and ceremony, as well as organizational decolonization. I was also trained in Ericksonian hypnotherapy here. My other clinical training took place at an assisted living facility for elders with a focus on dementia care.

Online Therapy

Office at 2489 Mission St, San Francisco, CA

Frequently Asked Questions About Josie Valderrama, Licensed Psychologist

It’s not uncommon to have questions before starting therapy. Josie Valderrama, Licensed Psychologist, has answered a few of the questions they receive most often from new clients.

Is Josie Valderrama accepting new clients?

Yes, Josie Valderrama is accepting new clients for online therapy in California and in-person appointments at 2489 Mission St, Ste 10, San Francisco, CA, 94110.

Does Josie Valderrama accept insurance?

No, Josie Valderrama does not accept insurance.

What types of therapy does Josie Valderrama offer?

Josie Valderrama offers therapy for individuals.

Does Josie Valderrama offer in-person appointments?

Yes, Josie Valderrama offers in-person appointments at 2489 Mission St, Ste 10, San Francisco, CA, 94110.

Does Josie Valderrama offer online therapy?

Yes, Josie Valderrama offers online therapy via video sessions and phone sessions to people in California.

How quickly can I see Josie Valderrama?

Josie Valderrama typically can speak with new clients within 48 hours. You can see their current general office hours and request an appointment on their profile page.

What languages does Josie Valderrama speak?

Josie Valderrama conducts therapy sessions in English.

Can I book an appointment with Josie Valderrama online?

Yes, you can easily book an appointment with Josie Valderrama online using Choosing Therapy’s directory.

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